A couple is seen admiring the Union Square Christmas tree in a reflection in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday, December 20, 2012. The holidays are in full swing in San Francisco as tourists, shoppers and the merry of heart prepare for the various winter celebrations.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

A couple is seen admiring the Union Square Christmas tree in a...

A couple is seen admiring the Union Square Christmas tree in a... Photo-3936308.54288 - SFGate

Image 11 of 24

Alanna Martin, 7 years old and Sarah Novick, 5 years old, wear their winter mittens as they hold candles during the singing performance, Thursday Dec. 20, 2012, at the Holiday Ice Rink at the Embarcadero, in San Francisco, Calif.

Christmas the San Francisco way at the Powell Street Cable Car turnaround in San Francisco, Calif., where a light-trimmed Cable Car makes its way up Powell Street after picking up passengers on Thursday, December 20, 2012. The holidays are in full swing in San Francisco as tourists, shoppers and the merry of heart prepare for the various winter celebrations.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Christmas the San Francisco way at the Powell Street Cable Car...

Christmas the San Francisco way at the Powell Street Cable Car... Photo-3936290.54288 - SFGate

Passersby stop to take in the view of adoptable animals at the Macy's Holiday Windows on Wednesday, December 19, 2012 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Lea Suzuki, The Chronicle

Passersby stop to take in the view of adoptable animals at the...

Passersby stop to take in the view of adoptable animals at the... Photo-3936288.54288 - SFGate

Image 17 of 24

Young members of the Tabuya (left) and Chowanec (right) families checked out the fake snow at the Northgate Mall. The holidays are celebrated in many ways in the Bay Area. In San Rafael, Calif. a visit to the Mission San Rafael Archangel, the 20th of the California missions established in 1817, is a historical and spiritual experience. And just north in the Northgate mall, the modern world has created artificial snow to the delight of young shoppers.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

Young members of the Tabuya (left) and Chowanec (right) families...

Young members of the Tabuya (left) and Chowanec (right) families... Photo-3936305.54288 - SFGate

Nancy Kaufman folding wash with her 2 year old Francesca Kaufman (right) at a Clean Wash Center & Dry Cleaners laundromat on Mission at Persia streets in San Francisco, California, on Thursday, December 20, 2012.

San Francisco decorates its skyline with holiday lights as seen in the reflection of a Christmas ornaments along the Embarcadero, Thursday Dec. 20, 2012, in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Lacy Atkins, The Chronicle

San Francisco decorates its skyline with holiday lights as seen in...

San Francisco decorates its skyline with holiday lights as seen in... Photo-3936297.54288 - SFGate

Image 23 of 24

A young boy sat in the pews of the Mission late in the afternoon. The holidays are celebrated in many ways in the Bay Area. In San Rafael, Calif. a visit to the Mission San Rafael Archangel, the 20th of the California missions established in 1817, is a historical and spiritual experience. And just north in the Northgate mall, the modern world has created artificial snow to the delight of young shoppers.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

A young boy sat in the pews of the Mission late in the afternoon....

A young boy sat in the pews of the Mission late in the afternoon.... Photo-3936340.54288 - SFGate